Well, I tell ya, if ya ever been out that way, ya know gettin’ to Crystal Mill ain’t no easy task. First off, ya gotta get yerself to Marble, Colorado. Now, Marble’s a small town, real small, just a dot on the map, really. But if you’re lookin’ to see somethin’ real special, you gotta make the trip. The road to Crystal Mill from Marble? Oh lordy, it’s a rough one, and you gotta be careful ‘cause it’s all rocky and bumpy. Don’t expect no smooth highway here! The paved road ends right in Marble, and from there, you’re on your own.
Now, the way to get to the mill, ya need a 4×4, no question. Folks don’t go on them little sedans or anything fancy like that. You need a good sturdy vehicle, somethin’ that won’t cry and break down on ya. Ya start out on County Road 3 from Marble. Keep goin’ straight, and after a bit, you’ll hit a stretch of road that ain’t for the faint of heart. It’s real rough, and might even make ya hold onto yer hat, but it’ll be worth it, mark my words.
That road’s a tough one, I’m tellin’ ya, but after a while, you’ll see somethin’ mighty special up ahead – the Crystal Mill. Now, that mill, it’s perched right up there on some rocks, lookin’ down on the Crystal River. It’s one of the most photographed places in all of Colorado, so don’t forget yer camera, if yer into that sort of thing. The mill is real picturesque, even though it’s perched in a way that looks like it might fall right off the edge if a gust of wind comes by.
If ya get lucky, and the weather’s just right, you’ll catch it lookin’ even more beautiful, especially in the late afternoon when the sun starts settin’ and lights up them mountains. It’s a sight to see, for sure. And folks love takin’ pictures here, but there’s one thing you should know. If ya plan on takin’ a photo up close, like inside the roped-off area, well, the owners of the mill started chargen’ folks. It’s not much, maybe 10 to 20 bucks depending on what kind of gear yer usin’, but you’ll have to pay up.
Now, gettin’ there, it’s not just a quick drive up the road. You gotta be prepared, ‘cause sometimes the road’s so narrow, you’ll end up waitin’ for other folks to pass by. And don’t be surprised if the brush and trees scrape up the sides of yer vehicle. It’s just part of the journey, hon. It’s tough, but ya don’t wanna miss it for the world.
There’s also some folks out there in Marble who’ll help ya get to the mill, if yer not feelin’ too confident about drivin’ on that crazy road. There’s jeep tours that’ll take ya from Marble to the mill. They got all sorts of tours, like a three-hour one, or a five-hour loop through Lead King Basin. They even got a seven-hour tour, called the Smitty’s Special. Now, these tours, they ain’t for free, of course, but if ya want to get there in comfort, it might be worth the price.
That Lead King Basin route, it’s a special one too, with some amazing views. If ya love nature and wanna see some of Colorado’s finest wilderness, this is the way to go. I’ve heard folks say that trip takes ‘bout five hours, but by the end of it, they swear it’s all worth it. Now, if you’re more the adventurous type, you might just wanna go for the three-hour sightseeing trip. I reckon that’s enough to get yer feet wet, see the mill, and maybe snap a few pictures.
But, no matter how ya get there, one thing’s for sure: the Crystal Mill’s gonna leave an impression on ya. It’s a piece of history, and even though the road’s a rough one, once you see that old mill perched on the rocks, you’ll understand why folks keep comin’ back for more.
So, if you ever get the chance, don’t pass it up. Get on out there to Marble, and then take that rough road to the Crystal Mill. It might be a tough trip, but the view, oh my, it’s something you’ll never forget.
Tags：[Crystal Mill, Marble Colorado, 4×4 tours, Colorado sightseeing, Lead King Basin, Crystal River, Colorado photography, historic mill, scenic tour]
